Discussions board for the classic MG MGA.
Well here is a good one for you all, is it doable? Was at a car show (didn't win anything with all the die hard muscle cars) today and went to see this in the woods. It's a 1500 but could not open the hood for we were skeptic of critters.
So what do you think?
Check to see how fat your wallet is. Since you asked, I would pass.
Doable: sure. Cost effective?
Ron
Do an advanced search for swatkins (author) and his journal... Also email him. His Mark II restoration started out in similar condition. It can be done. And it was done for a reasonable amount of $$$. I tried to attach a link and some pics but I am lacking in the computer tech department.
James-you don't need to comment!
Of course it can be done. At the very least, it's worth the parts. I did this one.
Just about any of them are doable - depends on how much energy and money you want to spend.
Marty
If nothing else it would be a source of parts for another project that needed help. If it was a Mk II or a coupe I might fight you for it. Ha Ha. The way I look at it, if you have the room to store it you can't go wrong.
Tim
Well I was trying to be funny here ;) In order to get it out we will have to cut some pine trees to make a path, seems it's been there for 30 years.It was actually as the owner said, driven to be parked there and hasn't been stripped so that seems encouraging. I do plan on getting it for the parts. It is definately a 1500, has all the drive train, has all the dash gages, has the seat frames, decent windsheild frame, three of the four wire spoke wheels, and hopefully more when I get into it. The problem here is all the rain we have been getting, it will be awhile before we can remove it. Here's the other side pic:
I pulled a MK2 out of the woods and needed a bigger tractor, the wheels fell apart and the car broke in half. I did get to save the eng/tranny and rear axle but not much else.
Ron
How did we all become so addicted to these cars? Any sane person would not give this car a second look. But we all get exicited about something like this....sick sick sick.
By the way Marty....nice find!! I am jealous....
John, I am envious!
Any project is feasible with the right equipment and skillset.
Ah, but I only showed the half of it! That was just lifting it out of the squishy ground where it was sunk up to the floorboards. Then we drug it to the trailer...
Thanks everyone for your comments!!!! It is amazing to me where these cars can be found. This is the 3rd time I have come across these cars in the woods here in south arkansas and northern louisiana. Yes I guess the MG spirit is running through me to even consider something like this in it's condition. But I figure if it does not get restored, I will have parts to help others as they have helped me through the Lizzie restoration.
Marty
Glad you are picking it up, if for parts only. I would probably not restore it myself but it will be of some value to someone if you decide not to restore it. I am finally getting to the stage (age) in this hobby where I dont want to drag home another project on a rope. I have too many to restore now. I have enough work for the next 20 years.
Ron
With this kind of body count across the country, it makes one ponder, once again, the number of cars that are actually restored or being restored. Just from my short year involved with the MGA restoration, it seems that on average there is a parts car for every running car.
Stan Watkins saved this... so.....
http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?2,1225937
Hey, did I mention the car actually has the Motorola radio in it? Hopefully there is more surprises if I get the car.
Cant have it Marty! Seems he is saving it for his great-great granddaughter.:spinning: Hope things work out good for you. Let me know.
Well everyone, talked to the owner last night and we made the deal for $300. Just have to wait for the ground to dry and get a game plan how to get the car out. He told me more of the story that he bought it 40 years ago from a individual that had it stored for a number of years. He drove it home, put it up in a garage for 20 years with the intention to restore, and then to clear his garage drove it to where it sits today. So that is encouraging that it has most everything is with the car. Can't wait to figure out the year model and see what else in with the car. Guess I am obsessed with these cars :eyeroll:
I will post more pictures when I get it in a few weeks.
Sound like it going to be an early Christmas. You lucky guy.
Yes it does lift the spirit knowing another possible project is near and to be worked. I have been kinda down lately since Lizzie got completed. It was three years ago at this same time when Lizzie was started so here goes another possible MGA.
Marty,
Congrats on the new car. It will be fun to find out what you really got when you get it home. I hope it will stay in one piece when you start moving it. Good luck and I hope to see the car someday. It will be a great story.
Jim
I wish I had pictures of one I bought, The only thing holding the front half to the back was the driveshaft. I bought another frame and it looked more "doable". But finally I said no way.
I then found one in NJ with no drivetrain. And the frame was bent because it had been rear ended.
I had the engine from the first car rebuilt. Used my newer frame. Cut out repair panels from the first car to repair the rear end damage. Had to buy two more fenders. Hundreds of hours later. Voila. the car you see in my profile. It makes me happy so I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Mike
Well everyone, I went last Saturday and we cut trees/brush and pulled the car from the woods. We pulled it up so it can be loaded on a trailer. Looking the car over more closely, it was in worst shape than previously thought. The body would need extensive repairs and seems the critters as well made nests in the engine bay and trunk. The trunk bottom is totally rusted through among other places,the body had heavy/thick coats of body filler with pitting underneath the filler, and seat frames were ate up with rust as well as the floor board rails. One thing good on the car was the drive train and chassis that seem to be healthy. It was confirmed the car was a 58 1500 with the engine number matching the VIN plate so it's the original engine for the car.
Just not sure this would be good to bring home but will make a decision soon. I just don't have a lot of space at the house for a old car just sitting around.
Shoot, for $300 I'd park that baby on my front lawn and set up some landscape lighting so all the neighbors could see it as they drive past. Seriously, I could fix that (hmmm, did I take my meds today?).
Never mind the rust, how does it drive! Rattle can and polish, be good as new!
Already started the rebuild, WD40-ed the door squeak? Seriously, that's a shame it's not in better condition, but surely there is $300 worth of usable spares:S
None of what you described sounds like a deal breaker. Figure most MGA's left in a field will require sills, lower few inches of inner and outer fenders, floor board rails etc. Not many, but some require the trunk floor. I have never seenan MGA that didn't require nose work along the way. For 300, you still got a steal. With no space at home to work on an old car, just what were you expecting to do, change the oil and add a battery and go for a ride? These things take a lot of work to get back to reliable condition, but when they are..........B)
